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Shifts in Residential Technology Needed to Achieve U.S. Climate Goals

By Annabel Rocha | Aug 24, 2023
A leaf growing inside a lightbulb
In January 2021, the Biden administration signed executive actions tackling climate change, announcing a goal to reach a net-zero emissions economy by 2050. A June 2023 report by Rewiring America illustrates how Americans can achieve this.

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In January 2021, the Biden administration signed executive actions tackling climate change, announcing a goal to reach a net-zero emissions economy by 2050. A June 2023 report by Rewiring America illustrates how Americans can achieve this.

The first ever Pace of Progress report looks at the current state of technology to determine which equipment need to be implemented in residential settings—specifically the number of heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, induction stoves, electric vehicles and rooftop solar systems.

“With polls showing awareness of what household electrification is and why the climate demands it in the low double digits, 14 million more clean, efficient electric machines by 2026 is all at once extraordinarily ambitious and absolutely possible,” said Ari Matusiak, Rewiring America’s co-founder and CEO, in a June press release.

The report opens by explaining that adoption rates of new technology follow S-shaped curve patterns, with a small number of pioneer users trying technology before it becomes more commonly used, sometimes completely replacing its predecessor (i.e., cell phones replacing landlines). Rewiring America says it’s important to study these adoption trends for each machine. 

“The learning curves for clean energy are evolving at a rapid clip, with costs forever being revised down. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is expected to bring climate technology costs down by 40%. The more costs come down, the further we will steepen the ascent of adoption,” reads the report. 

To meet U.S. climate goals, Rewriting America says that by 2032:

  • Electric heat pump sales need to be accelerated approximately three times over business-as-usual numbers, with 240,000 sales of electric heat pumps over baseline in 2023, and 2.38 million sales over baseline in the next three years.
  • Heat pump water heater sales need to be accelerated more than 10 times over business-as-usual, with 8,000 sales over baseline this year, and 200,000 sales over baseline cumulatively in the next three years.
  • Induction stove sales must be accelerated approximately five times over business-as-usual rates, with 260,000 sales over baseline in 2023, and 1.76 million sales over baseline cumulatively in the next three years.
  • EV sales must reach 20,000 over baseline this year, and 6.7 million sales over baseline cumulatively in the next three years.
  • Rooftop solar installations must rise seven times over usual sale rates by 2032, with 442,000 rooftop solar installations over baseline in 2023 and 2.78 million over baseline cumulatively in the next three years.

Reaching these installation targets will, of course, mean abundant opportunities for electrical contractors working in both new residential construction and residential retrofits and restorations.

“It’s possible because of historic investments in helping Americans make this transition, and the fact that these machines are not only more energy efficient, so cheaper to operate, but deliver better performance, comfort, health, and ease of maintenance. Now we have specific targets for increased sales and installations each year in this clean energy transition—and knowing our targets will be a powerful tool,” said Matusiak.

Read the full June 2023 Pace of Progress report here.

About The Author

Annabel Rocha is a freelance writer and copywriter for various publications, as well as a multimedia journalist for Illinois Latino News and Latino News Network. A native Chicagoan, she specializes in broadcast production, news writing and interviewing, with hopes of amplifying local Hispanic/Latino voices and sharing stories of diversity and equity. Contact her at [email protected].

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